“My father had a ranch,” Young told KRBD in Ketchikan. “We used to have 50 to 60 wetbacks to pick tomatoes. It takes two people to pick the same tomatoes now. It’s all done by machine.”

Within hours of the quote making its way to the national press — the KRBD Web site put it in the 12th paragraph of a story titled “Don Young talks economy, Arctic development” — Young explained that the term was “commonly used during my days growing up on a farm in Central California” and that he “meant no disrespect.”

Friday afternoon, he offered a fuller apology, saying “There was no malice in my heart or intent to offend; it was a poor choice of words.”

For a Republican Party that badly needs to improve its image in the Hispanic community — Mitt Romney won just 27 percent of Latino votes in the 2012 presidential race, for Pete’s sake — Young’s comments did not go over well. House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) released a statement Friday saying that “Congressman Young’s remarks were offensive and beneath the dignity of the office he holds.”

The last thing Young needs is more negative media attention. The House Ethics Committee announced this month that it would investigate whether Young failed to properly report gifts. Of the investigation, Young told KRBD: “We’ll see who’s right and who’s wrong.”

Yes, we will. But Young was way wrong to use such a slur.

Don Young, for channeling Archie Bunker, you had the worst week in Washington. Congrats, or something.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) tried to court tea party conservatives by recruiting a former Ron Paul aide to run his 2014 campaign. The aide agreed, then said he would be “holding my nose for two years.”" data-title=" " data-max-width="982" data-image="https://img.washingtonpost.com/rw/WashingtonPost/Content/Blogs/Images/201308/Senate_Midterm_Elections-05735_image_982w.jpg?env=A" data-ratio="1.461">

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Worst week in Washington

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A look back at who’s had tough times in 2013.

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A dead president. Dick Morris. Even a dog. A look back at who’s had tough times in 2013.

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